Graham Briggs lights up the series, nine years after winning round 1 back in 2009 as he beats George Harper to the line in Croydon

In the Men’s race, Graham Briggs led JLT Condor to victory in the Croydon round of The Tour Series in pouring rain, the fifth leg of the 2017 competition, taking the individual win as JLT Condor moved two-points clear of Madison Genesis at the half-way point.

Briggs sprinted to victory in the rain-soaked race, grabbing his sixth Tour Series individual win to make him the third most successful rider in the history of the Series, behind teammates Jon Mould and Ed Clancy.

Graham Briggs post race inteview

The fifth round gets underway in the rain at Croydon

The Doncaster rider headed home ONE Pro Cycling’s George Harper and Madison Genesis’ Tobyn Horton after a small group escaped in the closing laps. In all, a 17-rider group had formed at the front to contest the finale, among them guest team riders George Wood (Richardsons Trek) and Lloyd Chapman (Catford CC Equipe/Banks) putting in strong rides to end up 11th and 12th.

The team win, ahead of Madison Genesis, stretches JLT Condor’s lead to two-points at the halfway stage, with Round Six at Bath coming next on Saturday 20 May.

Pre-race chat with Graham Briggs about racing in the wet

Tom Mazzone of Metaltek Kuota talking about his first full series

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JLT Condor were soon putting the pressure on at the front and it was Graham Briggs showing just how good his form is right now.

Sebastian Mora of Raleigh GAC however was determined to increase his lead in the Sprints competition

Up the climb on the circuit, the pressure from JLT Condor saw gaps opening up behind to create a select group of 17 riders

Late in the race, Graham Briggs went on the attack ….

As did Rory Townsend …

Before a three man group escaped led by George Harper from Briggs and Tobyn Horton of Madison Genesis

Ryan Perry of Raleigh GAC meanwhile was chasing them down, keeping the gap to only a few seconds

Rory Townsend gets fastest lap award

Graham Briggs celebrates a great double (individual and team) victory on the podium with his team

Sebastian Mora of Raleigh GAC on the podium for the fifth time in the series, increasing his lead in the Sprint competition

And the team winners JLT Condor increase their lead by a point over Madison Genesis

Women’s Race

In the women’s Series, Drops remain top at the standings, and have now increased their lead over Team Breeze thanks to another strong ride from Annalsey Park, Rebecca Durrell and Alice Barnes.

On the night though it was Storey Racing on their Boardman Bikes claiming the individual glory, their first of 2017, with Elizabeth Jane Harris leading teammate Neah Evans to a one-two, in a race again run off in wet conditions. A break escaped early on and after Evans crossed to it to make two at the front for Storey Sport, the team were in the box seat and took full advantage.

Round Six of the men and women’s Series takes place in Bath on Saturday 20 May on a brand new circuit in the heart of the historic city, starting and finishing on Great Pulteney Street.

The four riders on a wet circuit had no challengers and stayed away to contest ti victory

Rebecca Durrell sprints in for 5th place and continue to lead the overall